"The CD issue of the DG Complete Beethoven was much welcomed by ciritcs and the buying public - they represent excellent value for money and an excellent survey of some of the very best recorded performances available. But I have a feeling that this volume was overlooked - I have to confess I did not even know Beethoven had spent so much of his talent in arranging folksongs - mostly, Scottish, but also irish, english, welsh and world songs. I have a feeling that DG had to record this series especially in order to make the claim 'complete Beethoven.'They really are superb, and an absolute delight. I expected that I would dip into this volume from time to time - I have to admit I have played whole discs, time after time. They really do lift the spirits and are a comoplete delight. I have also played them for friends --- "Guess who wrote this?" They have been as surprised and delighted as I! the performances? Exemplary. The excellent Malcom Martineau seems to have achieved the impossible - not a moment of bordeom or repitiousness, even though (musically) this must be the case. Sir Thomas Allen is now a little dry of voice, but he certainly has the humour and the 'heft' to deliver some of the rollicking Irish songs. the various settings of God Save the King are worth the price of the investment alone. Just superb. Go ahead and buy with confidence; you will not be disappointed."
A perfect collection
messer | 12/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this recording as a Beethoven "completist," not expecting anything too earth-shattering. But after listening to this set from beginning to end, I am completely baffled as to why this large segment of Beethoven's output has been left in the dark. These folksongs are amazingly beautiful and very clearly display Beethoven's mastery of arranging. The performances (imo) are flawless and sensitive as well. Also, for those of you interested, the DG set also provides a nicely detailed history behind the composition of the works and explains why they were initially shunned by the public (piano parts were too difficult for the amateur). All in all, I'd recommend this recording to anyone, Beethoven fan or otherwise."
Haunting
c | 03/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What an improbable undertaking! To scour the countryside of Great Britain for over 100 ballads and songs, get the raw music to Beethoven in Vienna for arranging, then turn the reworked scores over to contemporary poets, notably Byron and Scott, for new lyrics. I gather that the end-user, to use our horrible jargon, was to be the Pride & Prejudice set: the young ladies in their country establishments out to win husbands through their musical accomplishments. Unfortunately, the music was a wee bit above the abilities even of a Miss Bennet, so the project was a commercial failure.
A commercial failure but a musical miracle. If you know these good old songs a little, here is a side you never knew was there, and, for that matter, a side of Beethoven you never knew was there. Unlikely bedfellows, but none the less, perfection. Haunting."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1